Ruddy shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) or Brahminy Duck with coot
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Bird of Tibet
RUDDY SHELDUCK Common Name : Brahminy Duck Scientific Name : Tadorna ferruginea Local Name : Muru Description: This is a large rustyorange duck with pale head and neck. The size of the duck is about 64 cm. During breeding season male develops a narrow black collar on lower neck whereas female is without black collar. During the non-breeding season the collar is absent in male. Habitat: The duck breeds around high altitude brackish water lakes in Ladakh, Sikkim and Nepal. The bird is a common winter visitor in lakes, marshes and rivers with extensive shingle banks. The nest is made in a carefully selected hole in a cliff close to water source. The Ruddy Shelduck is most
alert of all the birds. Whenever present in a group of birds, this is
the fi rst one to raise an alarm. Both the parents contribute equally in raising the chicks. General Distribution: Breeds in Central Asia and then moves to South Asia and Northern part of South-East Asia in non-breeding period. The breeding range is from Morocco to Central Siberia and North China. In India the bird breeds around high altitude wetlands in eastern Ladakh and Sikkim. Distribution in Ladakh: The bird can be easily sighted around high altitude wetlands in eastern part of Ladakh and in the upper Indus basin from Likche to Demchok. The ruddy shelduck is a common winter visitor in India. This bird is found in large wetlands, rivers with mud flats and shingle banks. Found in large congregation on lakes and reservoirs. It breeds in high altitude lakes and swamps in Jammu & Kashmir. Arrives in north India by October and departs by April. The genus name Tadorna comes from Celtic roots and means "pied waterfowl", essentially the same as the English "shelduck"